France v Spain: Expected line-ups, stats and where to watch as European champions meet World Cup favourites

A place in the 2026 World Cup final will be on the line when France and Spain meet at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Tuesday.

Les Bleus are aiming to reach a third consecutive World Cup final, while Spain are looking to make their first appearance in the tournament’s showpiece since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.

Didier Deschamps’ side topped Group I with victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway before seeing off Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco in the knockout rounds.

Their quarter-final win over Morocco perhaps represented their toughest challenge yet, but goals from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele ensured a controlled 2-0 win in Boston.

Mbappe has led the charge with eight goals in the competition and sits firmly in contention for the Golden Boot, while Dembele, Michael Olise and Desire Doue have provided quality support in an attack.

Standing in France’s way are reigning European champions Spain, who have quietly put together an exceptional tournament of their own.

La Roja topped Group H before dispatching Austria in the Round of 32, overcoming Portugal in the last 16 and edging past Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Luis de la Fuente’s side finally conceded their first goal of the tournament against Belgium after keeping six consecutive clean sheets, but substitute Mikel Merino’s late winner preserved their unbeaten run.

Spain have now won five of their six matches at the tournament and have conceded just once in more than 600 minutes of football.

Defensively, they have been the benchmark side of the competition, while their possession-heavy approach has allowed them to dictate matches against elite opposition.

Recent meetings between the nations also favour Spain.

La Roja defeated France in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 before prevailing in a thrilling 5-4 encounter in the 2025 Nations League finals, although France did win the last World Cup meeting between the sides in Germany back in 2006.

Team news for France vs Spain

France are expected to have Mbappe available despite the captain suffering a minor ankle issue during the quarter-final win over Morocco.

Aurelien Tchouameni is pushing to return after missing the previous match through injury, while Manu Kone is also expected to be fit after his substitution against the Atlas Lions was viewed as precautionary.

Dembele, Olise and Doue are all set to continue in attacking roles behind Mbappe.

Spain have several selection decisions to make in midfield following Mikel Merino’s match-winning contribution against Belgium.

Rodri remains undroppable at the base of midfield, while Fabian Ruiz, Pedri and Dani Olmo are competing for places alongside him.

Lamine Yamal is expected to retain his place on the right wing despite a relatively quiet tournament by his lofty standards, while Mikel Oyarzabal should once again lead the line.

Nico Williams and Yeremy Pino are both available again and could provide valuable options from the bench.

Predicted line-ups for France v Spain

France starting XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe

Spain starting XI: Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Oyarzabal

Where to watch France v Spain: TV and online streams

France versus Spain kicks off at 8pm on Tuesday night. You can watch it on ITV 1 or stream via ITVX.

Stats for France v Spain

• The teams have met 38 times previously. Spain have won 18, France 13 with seven draws.
• Their last meeting, 12 months ago, in the Nations League semi-finals was won by Spain 5-4 despite a late France comeback.
• They have met just once at a World Cup, in 2006, with France winning 3-1 in the last-16.
• Spain have not lost any of their last 36 matches

Prediction for France v Spain